Shindler, who was the company's CEO from 2000-2008, will serve as interim CEO while the board conducts a search for a permanent chief executive. Shindler replaces Steven P. Dussek, who has stepped down as CEO and a member of the board to pursue other opportunities.

Shindler has served as chairman of NII Holdings since 2000 and was the company's CEO from 2000 to 2008. He served as chief financial officer of Nextel Communications from 1996 to 2000. Earlier, from 1987 to 1996, Shindler was Managing director of Toronto-Dominion Bank, where he raised capital for wireless companies.

NII Holdings will provide more detail on the company's strategy when it presents its fourth-quarter and full-year 2012 earnings results in February 2013.